Russia Has a 'Mystery Buyer' for the Su-57 Felon Fighter

Russia’s Su-57 "Felon" fifth-generation stealth fighter may soon have its first international buyer, according to Russia's arms exporter Rosoboronexport. The announcement, made at the Zhuhai Air Show, claimed the platform is a "proven weapon" sought by foreign nations.

What You Need to Know: Russia’s Su-57 "Felon" fifth-generation stealth fighter may soon have its first international buyer, according to Russia's arms exporter Rosoboronexport. The announcement, made at the Zhuhai Air Show, claimed the platform is a "proven weapon" sought by foreign nations.

-However, skepticism surrounds the potential deal due to the Su-57's limited production, lackluster performance in Ukraine, and Western sanctions that have curtailed Russia’s defense exports.

-Algeria, with its existing Russian aircraft fleet, is speculated as a likely buyer. Despite claims, the Su-57’s challenges, including reduced stealth capabilities compared to Western jets, may hinder its export success.

Russia Claims Su-57 Stealth Fighter Has Its First Export Buyer

Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet may soon be procured by the platform’s first international buyer. 

According to Russia’s arms exporter Rosoboronexport, it has signed contracts to provide the jet to foreign client states. Director General of the exporter told reporters at the Zhuhai Air Show that the Su-57 was a, “reliable, proven weapon” that other nations desired. 

However, the platform’s previous failed export opportunities and Moscow’s history of exaggerating the might of its platforms suggest that this potential deal may not be a reality. Moscow has only produced its fifth-generation platform in small numbers, as its resources and funds have been primarily poured into the country’s ongoing Ukraine invasion. Additionally, the Su-57 has not performed its assumed role as a stealth fighter by penetrating enemy air defense.

Why has the Felon Struggled in the Export Market?

While many analysts believe nations have been wary of purchasing the Russian platform due to its lackluster performance in Ukraine, there are other explanations for the lack of traction the fighter has made in the weapons marketplace. The head of the Moscow-based defense think tank Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies has blamed the lack of Su-57 sales on the Western sanctions imposed on Russia due to the war. 

According to Ruslan Pukhov, not many countries are willing to purchase a Russian platform due to these economic consequences. These sanctions caused other Russian aircraft exports to collapse with nations including Serbia, the Philippines, and Egypt. For this reason, it is believed that Algeria could be the country allegedly penning the Su-57 deal with Russia. If true, Algeria’s influence would certainly be elevated in the region.

Algeria already possesses other Russian military equipment in its stockpiles. As detailed by Aviation Week, “Its air force already operates Moscow’s export bestseller–about sixty Sukhoi Su-30MKA two-seat combat aircraft. It also flies Russian-made MiG-29M fighters, Yakovlev Yak-130 jet trainers, and transport and attack helicopters.”

The Felon: Specs & Capabilities

The Su-57 is derived from a Soviet-era program designed to envision a next-generation fighter jet during the Cold War. Ultimately, this I-90 program was delayed following the collapse of the USSR. It would take more than two decades for Russia’s first fifth-gen fighter to be introduced to service. The Sukhoi Su-57, designated by NATO as “Felon”, represented a huge technological leap when it came to fruition. 

The initial Felons featured a pair of Saturn/Rybinsk AL-31Fi after-burning turbofan engines for power, which were later replaced by the Izdeliye 30 engines. Notably, the Felon can reportedly fly faster than the American-made F-35 Lightning II fighter. However, the Russian jet is not as stealthy as its American counterpart since its radar cross-section is larger.

Despite Rosoboronexport’s claims that the Felon will soon be purchased by a foreign client state, this deal may not be a reality.

About the Author: Maya Carlin

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.

Image Credit: Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock 

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